Timeline: Wayne Gretzky’s relationship with Donald Trump

Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s friendship with President Trump has transformed “The Great One” from national hero to polarizing figure in Canada. Former NHL All-Star P.K. Subban recently defended Mr. Gretzky amid mounting criticism, but the relationship between the hockey legend and Mr. Trump stretches back decades.

1980s-2009: Early connections

The friendship between Mr. Gretzky and Mr. Trump possibly began through golf in the 1980s, when Edmonton Oilers players enjoyed occasional rounds with Mr. Trump through his friendship with then-franchise owner Peter Pocklington.

The relationship deepened when Mr. Gretzky’s daughter, Paulina, met professional golfer Dustin Johnson in 2009. Mr. Johnson, who married Paulina in 2022, has been a longtime Trump friend and frequent golf partner.

November 2024: The MAGA hat

The relationship became highly visible when Mr. Gretzky attended Mr. Trump’s election victory party at Mar-a-Lago wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, sparking immediate backlash in Canada.

December 2024-January 2025: ’Governor of Canada’

On Christmas Day, Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social that he encouraged Mr. Gretzky to run for prime minister of Canada, or “governor of Canada.” Mr. Trump reiterated the suggestion two weeks later at Mar-a-Lago.

In January 2025, Mr. Gretzky and his wife attended Mr. Trump’s presidential inauguration as Mr. Trump’s comments about Canada becoming the “51st state” and his trade tariffs fueled anger across the country.

February 2025: 4 Nations Face-Off backlash

During the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in Boston, Mr. Gretzky served as honorary captain for Team Canada. Some fans booed him at TD Garden. He appeared in a blue suit without a Team Canada jersey and gave a thumbs-up to the American team. Outside the rink, vandalism targeted his statues in Edmonton and Brantford, while petitions called for renaming Wayne Gretzky Drive.

Later that month, Mr. Trump defended his friend on Truth Social: “Wayne is my friend, and he wants to make me happy, and is therefore somewhat ’low key’ about Canada remaining a separate Country.”

March 2025: Vandalism escalates

The face of Mr. Gretzky’s statue outside Rogers Place in Edmonton was smeared with feces. A petition to rename Wayne Gretzky Drive gathered more than 10,000 signatures.

November 2025: Gretzky speaks

Mr. Gretzky finally addressed the controversy in a podcast interview: “The bottom line is, I know in my heart I’m Canadian, I’ve stayed Canadian, and I’m a Canadian for life.”

He stressed he has no desire to get involved in politics: “I’m not into politics, and so I can’t stop the prime minister from saying something. I can’t stop the president from saying something. I just kind of like, well, I’m just a hockey player, simple as that.”

Mr. Gretzky revealed he received a call from then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “He gave me a great line. He said, ’I’m giving you a hug call.’ I said, ’OK, I needed it right now.’”

February 2026: Subban’s Defense

In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Mr. Subban defended Mr. Gretzky while promoting the documentary “RIVALS: The 4 Nations Face-Off.”

“I’d like to know what they’ve contributed to the country and what they’ve contributed to the game of hockey,” Mr. Subban said of Mr. Gretzky’s critics. “Wayne’s paid his dues. He’s been in the trenches. He went to Nagano. He’s put together Hockey Canada. He’s played for Hockey Canada. He’s represented the country. He’s represented the league. He’s done it all.”

Mr. Subban continued: “I’m sorry for people who feel [he betrayed Canada]. So I would say this, ’You have zero credibility to comment on Wayne Gretzky and the decisions he makes.’”

The controversy has divided Canadians at a time when 78% disapprove of Mr. Trump, according to polling by Abacus Data. For Mr. Gretzky, who lives in Palm Beach, the friendship represents a personal relationship that predates politics. For many Canadians, however, his silence on Mr. Trump’s rhetoric about Canadian sovereignty feels like a betrayal.

Mr. Pocklington, the Oilers’ former owner, told The Globe and Mail: “Wayne is not a politician. He’s a hockey player. Period.”

But for residents of Mr. Gretzky’s hometown like Kat Philp, who launched the petition to rename Wayne Gretzky Drive, the issue runs deeper. “We always felt he was still Canadian,” she told The Canadian Press. “We don’t feel that way anymore.”